THREE STARS: Shining Bright for Jim
Erie, Pennsylvania – The Erie Otters, Erie community, and hockey world at-large were rocked with the news of the passing team owner & governor, Jim Waters, on Friday.
The announcement came on an off-day for the team following a quick trip to Windsor the night prior, and ignited the locker room with a new message for the team, Win for Jim. With an emotionally-charged crowd and game on-hand in memoriam of a friend to so many, Erie defeated the Saginaw Spirit 8-2.
Here are those who made this week happen.
THIRD STAR – CALLUM HUGHES
Newcomer Callum Hughes is taking the OHL by storm.
In Saturday night’s victory over the Saginaw Spirit, Hughes picked up two goals and an assist in the eight-goal victory. Hughes extended the Erie lead 2-0 just over seven minutes into the frame off the assist from Martin Misiak. Hughes found his second of the night and of the frame with just two minutes left in the first period. The puck moved all the way from Noah Erliden to Misiak, who found Hughes for the second time that night. In the third period with the Otters on the power play, Hughes and Malcolm Spence teamed up to find Martin Misiak for Erie’s final goal of the night.
SECOND STAR – SAM ALFANO
Sam Alfano just can’t be stopped!
In Thursday’s 5-1 loss, Alfano picked up an assist on the only Otters goal of the night, but it would be Saturday where he rained down points.
Alfano opened the scoring on Saturday with the very first shot of the night 28 seconds into the period, and Erie was pedal to the medal for the next sixty minutes. Alfano found his second of the night, and Erie’s sixth unanswered goal, five minutes into the second period on the power play. After a brief Saginaw surge, Alfano found the back of the net a third time to complete his hat trick and give the Otters a 7-2 lead.
FIRST STAR – JIM WATERS AND THE PRIDE OF OTTERS NATION
Erie and the hockey world suffered a devastating loss on Friday night with the passing of the Otters’ team owner Jim Waters. In the face of such news, Otters fans came together to display that Saturday night was about more than just hockey – it was about community.
On top of endless memorials, outpourings of messages of support and love, and displays placed at the Erie Insurance Arena, Otters Nation came together to rally around the whole of the Otters Family. While no amount of goals, wins, or celebratory moments will help to ease the loss experienced of such a charismatic, passionate, and terrific man as Jim Waters was, a win like Saturday’s with a crowd as charged as was in the Arena would’ve made our friend Jim let out a hearty laugh and a big fist pump.
We play for Jim for the rest of the season as we try to make sense of such an unexpected loss.
About the Erie Otters:
The Erie Otters are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the Otters have a rich history of excellence both on and off the ice. The team is committed to creating memorable experiences for its fans and contributing to the growth and well-being of the Erie community.
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at [email protected].
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